Treatment pathways of extrapulmonary patients diagnosed at a tertiary care hospital in Delhi, India

BACKGROUND: In order to put extrapulmonary tuberculosis patients early on treatment, it is important to study pathways, which these patients adopt in for seeking treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In order to study the treatment pathways of extrapulmonary patients and assess appropriate points for intervention, a cross-sectional study was conducted in chest clinic of a tertiary care hospital in Delhi. RESULTS: Factors associated with longer paths included reason for going to first health facility (nearness and known provider), availing more than one health facilities, presenting symptoms of fever, joint pain, nodular skin swelling and skin lesion. Self-referral to the chest clinic was associated with shorter paths. Lower level of education, occupation, non-serious perception of the disease and visiting five health facilities were significantly associated with patient delay of more than 3.5 weeks. Symptoms of fever, joint pain and skin lesion, visiting private health facility first, availing more than two health facilities and travelling distance of more than 100 km to reach chest clinic were significantly associated with the health facility delay of more than 4.5 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Increasing public awareness, training of private practitioners and capacity building of government facilities will help in reducing delay.